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ECOSYSTEM GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Citation:
Fath**, B. D., E E. Jorgensen*, B. C. Patten, AND M. Straskraba. ECOSYSTEM GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. doi:10.1016/j.biosys, lD. B. Fogel (ed.), Biosystems. Elsevier Ireland Limited, Limerick, Ireland, 77(1-3):213-228, (2004).
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
Thermodynamically, ecosystem growth and development is the process by which energy throughflow and stored biomass increase. Several proposed hypotheses describe the natural tendencies that occur as an ecosystem matures, and here, we consider five: minimum entropy production, maximum exergy degradation, maximum exergy storage, maximum energy throughflow, and maximum retention time. The predominant tendency changes during three identified canonical growth and development forms: Structural, Network and Informational. We propose that ecosystem growth and development in all forms will move away from thermodynamic equilibrium and select the components and organization that hield the highest flux of useful energy through the system and retains the most stored exergy for the longest time. Therefore, exergy storage, energy throughflow, and retention time are primary processes applicable during all three growth forms. Empirical data and a theoretical model support these conclusions.
